Behold His Glory!
Opening Prayer
Holy God, today is Your day. May I keep You and Your majesty before me at all times.
Read Psalm 104:1-35
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Meditate
“We need to put aside the technological gadgets that consume us and take a good look at the world we live in…to recapture the Psalmist’s sense of wonder” (A. Leonard Griffith).
Think Further
People constantly fail to live up to God’s purposes for them, and his own chosen people are among the worst offenders, not only in biblical times but also in this age of grace. How we belittle his love, his power and his grace!
What the psalmist does here is the opposite. This majestic hymn of praise is like a commentary extolling God’s glorious work in the six days of creation, ending with disdain for those who flout his laws. Sometimes addressing the Lord directly in worshipful admiration and sometimes simply declaring his marvels to all the world, the psalmist’s praise resounds in heaven and on earth.
First, there is the glory of God’s splendor and the worship of the heavenly beings (1-4). Our Savior is infinitely superior to angels (see Heb. 1) and in v. 4 his servants are described as “flames of fire.” What further invitation do we need to devote our lives to his service in fellowship with them?
Through the poet’s eyes we see a jubilant panorama of nature, which should oblige us to do our part in conserving the fruit of the Maker’s handiwork. We are reminded that this God is still at work, feeding and nourishing his creatures who are dependent on his sustaining grace (27-32). There are only two possible conclusions: awe and adoration such as the psalmist’s, or else the just penalty of those who disdain the marvels of God at work.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus! Look full in his wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace (Helen H. Lemell).
Apply
What can you do to demonstrate your gratitude to God by caring for some aspect of the world he has made?
Closing prayer
Father, I pray for a renewed sense of wonder. Reading this psalm makes me realize how much in life I take for granted. Open my eyes to Your greatness.
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